liaison
Where do you go from there?The Trip · 2011 — Chapter 9 of 20 · 5'50" · B2
Steve and Rob Rank Their Careers, Explained: contend with
Over scallops and pigeon, one man tells the other that greatness is a problem he will only ever imagine. "I'd rather have these moments of genius than a lifetime of mediocrity" is both a boast and a ranking. The same edge follows them through age, a phone call, and a valley where three thousand years shrinks to nothing.
What happens
At dinner one man tells the other that greatness is a problem he will only ever imagine. Scallops and pigeon arrive, Coleridge is set beside a pop song, and a haggis story warns that someone is taking you for a fool. A call sets tomorrow's photographer. On the fell, three thousand years is the blink of an eye, and Dove Cottage turns them away at five past five.
Listen for
contend withthe blink of an eyetake someone for a foolwith varying degrees of success
00:00 / 05:50Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
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Phrase of the scene
contend with
to have to deal with something difficult
史蒂夫回敬罗布，说「你只能想象」，因为「跟成就比高低」这种麻烦，罗布这辈子都不会遇上。
The new manager had to contend with a demoralised team.
Also in this scene
- the blink of an eye
an extremely short time
- take someone for a fool
to treat someone as if they are stupid
- with varying degrees of success
with mixed results
Everything marked in this scene
30 notes across 101 lines
Well, it's difficult, you know, once you've achieved greatness, to match that.to have to deal with something difficult
Yeah, and you'll always imagine, because it's not a problem you'll ever have to contend with.I'd rather be me than you, because I'd rather have these moments of genius than a lifetime of mediocrity.would rather ... than ...
I'd rather be me than you, because I'd rather have these moments of genius than a lifetime of mediocrity.Doesn't matter about the thyme.I'm very impressed with that.would have for a past assumption
You shocked me, 'cause I would have thought that you would have preferred Olivia Newton-John's version of Xanadu.with mixed results
I think both Newton-John and Coleridge tackled the subject of Xanadu with varying degrees of success.emphatic auxiliary
Golly, that does look nice.Golly, that does look nice.It's a little like haggis.to treat someone as if they are stupid
They've taken you for a fool.As a bloody fool.There's no such thing as a haggis hunt.Desperate to be taken seriously, aren't you?You can't treat your entire life like a Radio 4 panel show.Well, don't you find it exhausting, still running around, going to parties and chasing girls...I don't run around and go to parties.You make me sound like Benny Hill.weak form
You make me sound like Benny Hill.But don't you find all that exhausting at your age?Do you find it exhausting looking after a baby?everything's exhausting when you're past 40.when-clause of time
everything's exhausting when you're past 40.Okay. Well... hang on. A photographer?Her name's Yolanda, by the way.an extremely short time
but there's gonna be another ice age very soon, in about, say, another 3,000 years, but that's the blink of an eye.liaison
but there's gonna be another ice age very soon, in about, say, another 3,000 years, but that's the blink of an eye.I'm really sorry, sir, but the last admission is 5:00.Steve and Rob Rank Their Careers, explained
What's really going on
The meal is a contest in the shape of chat. "I'd rather be me than you" ranks two careers in one breath, a few flashes of genius against "a lifetime of mediocrity." "My career is not mediocre" never gets a real answer, because the plates arrive and the scoring changes costume. Setting Coleridge beside Olivia Newton-John "with varying degrees of success" sounds even-handed and still refuses either of them a clean win. The haggis bit is a trap told twice: "They've taken you for a fool," then the flat punchline that no such hunt exists. On the fell the scale flips. Three thousand years becomes "the blink of an eye" next to rock formed 400 million years ago, and the dinner's scoreboard suddenly looks small. Dove Cottage is shut at five past five, so the day ends on a closed door rather than a winner.
Theme
PrideOne man sets moments of genius against a lifetime of mediocrity, and the other man answers that his career is not mediocre.
SatireA pop song is weighed against Coleridge, a haggis hunt is exposed as a trick, and a whole life is likened to a panel show.
What you'll learn
- Taken for a fool as a sting
- Last admission as a hard stop
- Mediocrity as a life sentence
Listen for
- go from — liaison
- make me — weak form
- blink of an eye — liaison
Yeah, and you'll always imagine, because it's not a problem you'll ever have to contend with.Dressed as sympathy, it tells the other man he will only ever picture greatness, because his career will never force him to face the problem of matching it.
I'd rather be me than you, because I'd rather have these moments of genius than a lifetime of mediocrity.He chooses his own uneven flashes of brilliance over what he calls the other man's ordinary life, and he says that choice out loud.
You can't treat your entire life like a Radio 4 panel show.It accuses the other man of living as if every day were a comic panel show, always reaching for the next laugh.
everything's exhausting when you're past 40.Once the baby question is answered with a yes, fatigue stops being one chore and becomes the rule for everything past forty.
Questions about this scene
Why would he rather have moments of genius than a lifetime of mediocrity?
It is a ranking, not a confession. He would rather be himself, with a few flashes of brilliance, than live what he calls the other man's ordinary career. The reply is "My career is not mediocre," and the plates arrive before it can be settled.
Who is the phone call with, and what is it about?
He answers "Hi, Emma." She is reminding him about a photographer named Yolanda, who will meet him at Hipping Hall tomorrow. Emma is coming up with her, and the photos are for the article they already discussed at the office.
Why do they stop on the Langdale walk?
The light is failing and it is late. One asks how far they are going. The other says a little bit further, then admits they shouldn't go much further "just because of the light."
Why can't they visit Dove Cottage?
They ask for two tickets and are told the last admission was 5:00. It is already five past. The visit ends at the door.
Is the haggis hunt real?
No. The pigeon is "a little like haggis," which sets up the warning that anyone who invites you on a haggis hunt has taken you for a fool. The line that closes it is "There's no such thing as a haggis hunt."
The Trip · 20 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 10not unlikeTurned Away at Dove Cottage
Chapter 1have someone down asSteve and Rob Set Off
Chapter 2part of its charmSteve and Rob Share a Room
Chapter 3take a long, hard look in the mirrorThe Michael Caine Impression Duel
Chapter 4in a troughSteve Calls From the Trough
Chapter 5put someone on the back footCalls on the Road to Cartmel
Chapter 6the king of understatementBond Impressions Over Dinner
Chapter 7living the dreamTelling Steve He's Living the Dream
Chapter 8method in my madnessSteve and Rob at Greta Hall
Watching · Chapter 9contend withSteve and Rob Rank Their Careers
Chapter 10not unlikeTurned Away at Dove Cottage
Chapter 11at first lightSteve and Rob's Costume Drama
Chapter 12not a lot of people knowThe Michael Caine Impressions
Chapter 13Cut to the chaseSteve Takes His Agent's Call
Chapter 14don't come running to meShushed on the B Roads
Chapter 15a wee bitA Phone Call by the Lake
Chapter 16an albatross around my neckCoogan and Brydon Compare Careers
Chapter 17as empty experiences goDad Phones Joe About Drinking
Chapter 18stick the knife inMock Eulogy at the Grave
Chapter 19if push came to shoveHiring Divers for the Gesture
Chapter 20as broad as it's longSteve Leaves His ParentsChapter 9 of 20 · about 56 min to go